Housekeeping – LODGINGhttp://lodgingmagazine.com
Official Publication of AHLA. LODGING covers hotel news and hospitality industry stories.Thu, 24 May 2018 15:41:38 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.6Reducing Mosquito Populations in the Areas Affected the Mosthttp://lodgingmagazine.com/2018s-cities-worst-mosquito-problems/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/2018s-cities-worst-mosquito-problems/#respondFri, 11 May 2018 10:52:09 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=38119ATLANTA—For the fifth year in a row, the Atlanta area topped Orkin’s “Top 50 Mosquito Cities” list. Texas is the state with the most spots on the pest control company’s 2018 list with seven cities, followed by Florida and Louisiana with four cities each. “Mosquitoes continue to be a major health concern, especially in the summer months,” Orkin Entomologist Chelle Hartzer says. “According to the CDC, vector-borne diseases like Zika virus and West Nile virus ...

]]>ATLANTA—For the fifth year in a row, the Atlanta area topped Orkin’s “Top 50 Mosquito Cities” list. Texas is the state with the most spots on the pest control company’s 2018 list with seven cities, followed by Florida and Louisiana with four cities each.

“Mosquitoes continue to be a major health concern, especially in the summer months,” Orkin Entomologist Chelle Hartzer says. “According to the CDC, vector-borne diseases like Zika virus and West Nile virus have tripled since 2004. These mosquito-borne diseases may have serious side effects.”

Mosquito season starts when Spring temperatures arrive, and they are most active in temperatures above 80 degrees. Breeding season is usually July through September, while peak West Nile virus season is usually not until late August through September or even October in some areas. Temperatures need to be around freezing before mosquitoes will start to die off for the winter.

“Orkin’s Top 50 Mosquito Cities” list ranks metro areas by the number of new mosquito customers served from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. The list includes both residential and commercial treatments.

Cities with the most new mosquito customers and treatments

1. Atlanta

26. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y. (+8)

2. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas (+4)

27. Lafayette, La. (+5)

3.New York (+1)

28. Baton Rouge, La. (+12)

4. Washington, D.C. (-2)

29. New Orleans, La. (-2)

5. Chicago (-2)

30. Richmond-Petersburg, Va. (-7)

6. St. Louis, Mo. (+20)

31. Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., Asheville, N.C (-9)

7.Houston

32. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. (-2)

8. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (-3)

33. Boston (-14)

9.Kansas City, Mo. (+15)

34. Wichita-Hutchinson, Ka. (+40)

10. Charlotte, N.C. (-1)

35. Tulsa, Okla. (+14)

11. Detroit (-3)

36. Hartford-New Haven, Conn. (-5)

12. Memphis, Tenn. (+2)

37. San Antonio, Texas (+2)

13.Nashville, Tenn. (-3)

38. Springfield, Mo. (+79)

14. Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (-3)

39. Abilene-Sweetwater, Texas (+18)

15. Raleigh-Durham, N.C. (+2)

40. Oklahoma City (+48)

16. Los Angeles (+13)

41. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas (+15)

17. Philadelphia (+4)

42. Baltimore, Md. (-14)

18. Birmingham, Ala. (+18)

43. Huntsville-Decatur, Ala. (+10)

19. Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla. (-7)

44. Shreveport, La. (-2)

20. Austin, Texas (+17)

45. Portland-Auburn, Maine (+17)

21. Mobile-Pensacola, Fla. (-6)

46. Knoxville, Tenn. (-13)

22. Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich. (-4)

47. Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio (-22)

23. Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va. (-10)

48. West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Fla. (-32)

24. Indianapolis, Ind. (+11)

49. Bangor, Maine (-4)

25. Phoenix, Ariz. (-5)

50. Harlingen-Brownsville-McAllen-Weslaco, Texas (+21)

Types of Mosquitoes

The Aedes aegypti (commonly called the yellow fever mosquito) mosquito can carry and spread Zika virus and has been found in more than 20 states from coast to coast. Unlike other mosquito species, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bite during the day and night.

Culex mosquitoes are in every state and can carry and spread West Nile virus. They are most common at dusk and dawn.

In addition to spreading Malaria, which has been considered eradicated from the United States, Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit dog heartworm and other viruses. They have been found in every state and are most active at dusk and dawn.

Reducing Mosquito Populations

Although the spread of Zika virus in the United States has significantly decreased—from 5,168 cases in 2016 to 433 cases in 2017—it remains a concern as there is no treatment, cure, or vaccine for the virus. One of the best strategies for eliminating mosquito-borne diseases is to reduce populations of the mosquitos that spread them.

Reducing items that attract mosquitoes and actively working to prevent them from reproducing and moving inside properties are the best protection from mosquito bites.

“After mating, females typically seek a blood meal to aid in egg production. She often lays them in standing pools of water,” Hartzer says. “Egg numbers vary from species to species but can be as much as over 100 eggs in a single laying.” Hartzer says there are several recommendations for protecting against mosquitoes.

Eliminate Mosquito-Friendly Conditions. Any object that has the potential to hold water should be removed or cleaned out frequently, as mosquitoes can breed in just an inch of standing water.

Clean gutters to avoid rainwater build up. Check for puddles that form on the roof from rainwater, leaking pipes, or even condensation from air conditioners.

Change water weekly in bird baths, fountains, potted plants and any containers that hold standing water. Keep pool water treated and circulating.

Trim shrubbery, as adult mosquitoes like to rest in dark areas with high humidity, such as under the leaves of lush vegetation.

Eliminate Entry Points. Inspect doors and windows for drafts or openings around their perimeters and window air conditioning units, and install weather stripping around doors and caulk around window frames as needed.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/2018s-cities-worst-mosquito-problems/feed/0As Hotels Adopt New Tech, Where Are the Innovations in Hotel Laundry?http://lodgingmagazine.com/where-are-innovations-hotel-laundry/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/where-are-innovations-hotel-laundry/#respondTue, 24 Apr 2018 13:41:16 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=37691Research company Trend Hunter last year released a list of the 25 most high-tech hotel innovations. As one might expect, the list included such innovations as digital key access via guests’ smartphones, robots that make small-item deliveries to guestrooms, virtual reality previews used for marketing properties, and artificial-intelligence-enabled systems in rooms such as Amazon’s Alexa. Hotels are laser-focused on staying ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing tools and amenities that their guests ...

]]>Research company Trend Hunter last year released a list of the 25 most high-tech hotel innovations. As one might expect, the list included such innovations as digital key access via guests’ smartphones, robots that make small-item deliveries to guestrooms, virtual reality previews used for marketing properties, and artificial-intelligence-enabled systems in rooms such as Amazon’s Alexa. Hotels are laser-focused on staying ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing tools and amenities that their guests may soon come to expect. But what didn’t make the list of most high-tech hotel innovations is a hotel’s laundry services.

There are plenty of opportunities to improve hotel laundry operations. According to TRSA research, less than half of all hotels account for key laundry costs such as energy, water, machinery maintenance, and employee labor costs, and one in three would prefer to outsource their laundry services altogether.

But this isn’t just a back-of-house issue—a growing number of consumers care about sustainability when they travel. TRSA research found that nearly 60 percent of consumers want hotels to pursue more environmentally friendly laundry practices. Even when hotels do implement conservation programs, 77 percent of consumers in the TRSA research felt that those programs are just about saving money. But consumers do not have a preference whether a hotel’s sheets and towels are laundered on- or off-site—they choose a hotel based on factors like price, location, and amenities. While guests do expect the quality of linens at a property to correspond with the tier of the hotel, they care more about how sustainably their linens are laundered rather than where they are laundered. Outsourcing laundry services is an option for hotels to use fewer resources such as water and energy while also ensuring guest satisfaction.

There is significant room to improve hotel laundry cost calculations and to better educate guests on specific steps hotels are taking–on their own or with a commercial laundry partner–to reduce their carbon footprint. And by innovating an area of a hotel where the money is—like laundry services—hotels can focus on other innovations to the property—like adding digitized check-in kiosks—that guests may soon come to expect.

About the AuthorJoseph Ricci is the president and CEO of TRSA, the association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/where-are-innovations-hotel-laundry/feed/0A Simple Method for Cleaning Ceilings and Vertical Surfaceshttp://lodgingmagazine.com/simple-method-cleaning-ceilings-vertical-surfaces/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/simple-method-cleaning-ceilings-vertical-surfaces/#respondThu, 19 Apr 2018 11:00:57 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=37555How can room attendants remove the hair, lint fibers, and dust that tend to accumulate on walls and ceilings? And why does it seem that the more housekeepers try to dust ceilings and vertical surfaces, the faster dust accumulates? This problem is not unusual. These contaminants end up on walls and ceilings through several means. Stray hairs tend to adhere to walls because they become electrostatically charged, often through the use of hair dryers. When ...

]]>How can room attendants remove the hair, lint fibers, and dust that tend to accumulate on walls and ceilings? And why does it seem that the more housekeepers try to dust ceilings and vertical surfaces, the faster dust accumulates?

This problem is not unusual. These contaminants end up on walls and ceilings through several means. Stray hairs tend to adhere to walls because they become electrostatically charged, often through the use of hair dryers. When guests use an electric hairdryer and then brush their hair afterwards, individual strands become charged. All humans shed hair every time they brush it. Charged hairs then gravitate and adhere to the nearest vertical or uppermost horizontal surface, or they may be blown there by the hair dryer. Dust in carpets, pet hairs shed from guest clothes, and errant lint fibers can also become charged and dispersed against walls by vacuum cleaners or the guestroom heating units.

Until something that has greater attraction power than the electrostatic charge comes in contact with these contaminants, it is very hard to remove them from walls. Typically, dusting does not remove the contaminants from the walls; it only stirs them up and moves them to another surface.

Consider arming room attendants with self-adhesive rollers designed to catch dust, lint, and hair. Self-adhesive cleaning rollers quickly clean walls as well as floors, upholstery, carpets, tile, and draperies. The self-adhesive rollers can be attached to extension poles so housekeepers can easily reach overhead areas without using a ladder. To minimize the accumulation of dust and hair in guestrooms, incorporate wall and ceiling cleaning with self-adhesive rollers as a “daily special” task each week for room attendants.

About the Author Dr. William D. Frye is an Associate Professor in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Niagara University and co-author of AH&LEI’s housekeeping textbook Managing Housekeeping Operations.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/simple-method-cleaning-ceilings-vertical-surfaces/feed/0Why Hotels Need to Conduct Product Auditshttp://lodgingmagazine.com/hotels-need-conduct-product-audits/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/hotels-need-conduct-product-audits/#respondWed, 18 Apr 2018 13:40:23 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=37531Many often associate the term “product audit” with “quality audits.” A quality audit is an inspection of a product—whether a cleaning solution, paper product, or detergent—before it is delivered to a supplier or customer. However, hoteliers should not only check the quality of products that have already been delivered but also determine if those supplies, in particular, are the best for the job. That’s where product audits come into play. Here’s an example of how ...

]]>Many often associate the term “product audit” with “quality audits.” A quality audit is an inspection of a product—whether a cleaning solution, paper product, or detergent—before it is delivered to a supplier or customer. However, hoteliers should not only check the quality of products that have already been delivered but also determine if those supplies, in particular, are the best for the job. That’s where product audits come into play.

Here’s an example of how a hotel can conduct a product audit: A hotel currently uses four cleaning products for floors. Three housekeepers, one housekeeping supervisor, and a hotel administrator meet to help determine if all four floor cleaners should continue to be purchased or if they can narrow the products down to just one. The housekeepers rate each of the floor cleaning products based on their effectiveness and performance. The administrator analyzes each product’s cost. This information is then compared using a spreadsheet or plotted such as in the image on the left.

Based on the diagram above, Product C and Product D can be eliminated—while they are the least costly, their lack of effectiveness and poor performance works against them. The team must then decide between Product A and Product B. Product A is the all-around favorite according to the housekeepers, however, it’s also the most expensive. Product B performs almost as well as Product A and is less expensive. As a result of this product audit, all parties decide to continue purchasing Product B and eliminate the other three.

The Benefits of Conducting Product Audits

Product audits can be conducted for all types of items. One thing to keep in mind is that these items must all be used for the same or similar purpose. Further, when it comes to costs, hoteliers must be very careful. While two gallons of floor cleaning solution, for instance, may cost the same, the label could reveal that the dilution ratios are not comparable. A highly concentrated product would likely last longer and be more cost-effective in the long run. Using a free online dashboard system or working with an astute distributor can help uncover these savings for hoteliers.

The benefits of product audits range from saving space to ensuring the safety of staff. Storing one cleaning solution take a lot less space in a closet than four different ones. And different cleaning solutions may have different safety concerns, so minimizing the number of products helps ensure staff safety. What’s more, working with just one cleaning solution would make training easier than learning how to dilute and apply four different products.

Often, when a product audit is conducted, it is the first time that hoteliers examine exactly how much a product costs in comparison to similar products used for the same purpose, and the first time those products are seriously ranked by effectiveness. The cost savings can be significant and hoteliers can benefit even more from discounts and rebates for purchasing larger quantities of a single product.

Conducting a product audit is not difficult. Analyzing a number of products can take time, but the benefits can be substantial, making it time well spent.

About the AuthorMichael Wilson is vice president of marketing for AFFLINK, a global supply chain optimization company and developer of ELEVATE, which provides clients with process and procurement solutions to drive efficiencies.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/hotels-need-conduct-product-audits/feed/0How to Spot and Get Rid of Common Household Pests in Hotelshttp://lodgingmagazine.com/spot-common-household-pests-hotels/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/spot-common-household-pests-hotels/#commentsWed, 28 Feb 2018 12:00:39 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=36332Running a business in the hospitality industry is a tough task, and when pests are added to the equation, it can get even more challenging and costly. Like it or not, pests are a common problem among many U.S. hotels and the problem is only getting worse with the proliferation of bed bugs in many parts of the country. In a 2015 survey of pest control companies conducted by the National Pest Management Association and ...

]]>Running a business in the hospitality industry is a tough task, and when pests are added to the equation, it can get even more challenging and costly.

Like it or not, pests are a common problem among many U.S. hotels and the problem is only getting worse with the proliferation of bed bugs in many parts of the country. In a 2015 survey of pest control companies conducted by the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky, hotels ranked third as the most common location for a bed bug infestation.

Apart from causing both minor and major deterioration to a property, the mere presence of pests can deliver a devastating blow to a hotel’s reputation. It is imperative that hotels take the necessary steps to prevent these pests before they become a problem. Below are the most common hotel pests and actionable tips to prevent infestations for each.

Common Hotel Pests

Mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, and bed bugs are among the most common hotel pests. Accessibility to food, frequent turnover of travelers, and inadequate preventative measures create an environment where hotels are at an increased risk of attracting infestations. Below are ways to detect each of these pests early on and a few tips to control an infestation should one occur on a hotel’s premises.

Rodents

Rats and mice are not just household pests. They also like to check into hotels and lurk in the shadows and corners of the establishment, particularly in places with easy access to food stores. Rodents are capable of significant property damage as they gnaw through electrical equipment and fixtures or damage walls. Aside from property concerns, rodent infestations pose a serious threat to human health in the form of various diseases such as Toxoplasmosis, Lyme, Leptospirosis, and Salmonellosis. Furthermore, rats can carry a number of other known pests such as mites, lice, fleas, and ticks into a hotel.

Detecting Rodents

The most important tip for rodents (or any other pest, for that matter) is to train cleaning staff on how to spot the early signs of an infestation. A hotel’s cleaning crew spends the most time in each room. If they spot something suspicious, there should be a predefined system in place where management can be quickly informed and take appropriate action.

Thankfully, rats and mice leave obvious evidence of their presence. They’ll leave behind droppings, urine stains, and smudge marks around rooms and hallways. When everyone else is fast asleep, rats and mice tend to be more active in the walls, producing gnawing and squeaking sounds.

Rodent Control Tips

If these signs appear, hotel management should secure food stores in the kitchen, hotel restaurant, and the food storage area. Seal off all possible points that could lead into the hotel such as cracks, vents, screens, and windows. Make sure that all food stocks are kept in airtight containers and that these are checked from time to time. Check the hotel surroundings for garbage or other foodstuff that could be attracting the rodents.

While a few snap traps might work for smaller infestations, larger infestations will require a more robust approach. Before contacting an exterminator, take note of all verified sightings and actions taken against the rodents prior to calling. Rely on professionals to use rodenticides, as these can be dangerous, especially if they’re placed in areas with guest access.

Cockroaches and Flies

The mere sight of a single fly hovering in a dining area or a cockroach crawling on a wall can severely damage a guest’s impression of the property. Flies are attracted to food odors while cockroaches are drawn to decaying matter and food. These insects can easily get into an establishment by hitching a ride on infested luggage or through small cracks or openings.

Since they feed on decaying matter and live on filth, cockroaches and flies carry viruses and microorganisms that can cause serious diseases. Cockroaches are carriers of bacteria like E. Coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Flies on the other hand, can be carriers of fungi, parasitic worms, and cholera.

Detecting Cockroaches and Flies

Both flies and cockroaches are capable of multiplying rapidly over a short period of time. A single insect is all it takes to start a pest infestation. Therefore, it is important to appropriately train the hotel’s cleaning crew to spot possible red flags of cockroach or fly infestation.

Flies are much easier to detect compared to cockroaches. Flies will congregate where there is food or garbage such as kitchen and dining areas, while cockroaches are better at hiding and coming out during the nighttime to find scraps of food. During the daytime, cockroaches usually hide inside cracks, crevices, and underneath furniture.

The key to spotting cockroaches is to pay special attention to the dark and damp areas of a hotel’s kitchens and bathrooms (e.g., underneath sinks and refrigerators). Black secretion stains and droppings that resemble coffee grounds are signs of roaches.

Preventing Cockroach and Fly Infestations

Cockroaches and flies need to be eliminated as soon as possible to maintain a pleasant living environment for guests. Management should continuously train the cleaning staff to identify key signs of an infestation. Other best practices include: discarding food leftovers, cleaning up spills and peelings in the kitchen or dining areas, and properly covering trash bins. Using airtight containers is also a good way to deny cockroaches access to food.

UV light traps are the most commonly employed solutions for eliminating flies inside commercial establishments. Place traps in areas where flies are visible most of the time and along windows.

Cockroaches can be eliminated in various ways. The most common methods include aerosol sprays and bait stations. Consult an exterminator prior to taking any action as untrained pest control can make an infestation worse.

As a preventative measure, lay down cockroach traps underneath refrigerators as a method to monitor any active infestations. Most are inexpensive and can help catch an infestation before it has the chance to expand. Lay a few traps around the hotel’s kitchen and check them weekly.

Bed Bugs

Due to increased traveling and less effective pesticides, bed bugs infestations have soared in recent years. Various tools such as the Bed Bug Registry have been created for the sole purpose of reporting bed bugs found in apartments and hotels, which makes preventative measures even more critical in maintaining a property’s reputation.

While the CDC maintains that bed bugs do not pose a serious threat to human health, as they do not transmit disease, the severity of their bites can vary from person to person as well as cause secondary infections if the bites are not cleaned and taken care of. Bed bugs count on humans for their daily dose of blood meals, which means that they can only survive in the presence of a human host.

Early Detection of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can lay up to 12 eggs a day which makes it imperative to detect their presence in the earliest possible stage of infestation. Adult bed bugs are quite small but are visible to the naked eye. They grow to just about 5 to 7 mm in size and are usually found in beds, blankets, pillows, luggage, and furniture. Traces of blood spots on sheets, black (fecal) marks, and shed bug skin are common signs. Apart from the mattresses, bed bugs usually lurk in cracks in walls, outlet wall plates, and tables or chairs near the bed.

Training cleaners to spot signs of a bed bug infestation is critical to early detection and removal.

Bed Bug Control Tips

When it comes to bed bug removal, the only solution is to consult an exterminator. Bed bug removal is a very delicate procedure only made worse by the fact that hotels make it very easy for bed bugs to spread quickly onto new hosts in adjacent rooms. If a guest brings bed bugs into a hotel and doesn’t leave with them, the bed bugs will begin looking for a new host somewhere else. This is how bed bugs spread.

To resolve a bed bug infestation, pest control companies deploy sophisticated equipment, which allows them to superheat a room to at least 131° Fahrenheit/55° Celsius—hot enough to kill adult bugs and their eggs.

As a preventative measure, hotel owners should use mattress and box spring encasements to protect beds from infestations. These can save hotels thousands of dollars in disposing of infested mattresses and make the bed bug removal process slightly easier.

About the AuthorShane Dutka is the founder of Pest Strategies, a website resource providing guides and articles on pest removal best practices.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/spot-common-household-pests-hotels/feed/1Green vs. Sustainable: How the Terms Apply to Hotel Laundryhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/green-vs-sustainable-related-but-different/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/green-vs-sustainable-related-but-different/#respondTue, 27 Feb 2018 12:07:38 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=36307Equating the term “environmentally friendly” with “sustainable” is usually a safe bet. Machines and products designed to take less of a toll on the planet than equivalent technologies often last longer as well. These technologies use less water and energy, so when natural resources become scarce or expensive, they’re better positioned to carry on. In addition, as environmental conscientiousness grows, buyers are more likely to demand greener alternatives, contributing to their economic viability. The association ...

]]>Equating the term “environmentally friendly” with “sustainable” is usually a safe bet. Machines and products designed to take less of a toll on the planet than equivalent technologies often last longer as well. These technologies use less water and energy, so when natural resources become scarce or expensive, they’re better positioned to carry on. In addition, as environmental conscientiousness grows, buyers are more likely to demand greener alternatives, contributing to their economic viability.

The association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry, TRSA,draws more of a distinction between the two terms in its Clean Green laundry certification for conservation practices. Applied to a linen, uniform, and facility services operation or a hotel, “sustainability” hinges on many more factors than environmental friendliness—mostly other economic influences. Still, in laundry operations, it’s becoming clearer that conservation practices are essential to achieving economic gains.

Every type of business devotes a large portion of its expense budget to labor, and hotel laundry is no different—the biggest expenses for laundry production are its supplies and associated labor. Laundry facilities can minimize resource use to lower cost and improve competitiveness, especially outsourced laundry services in larger markets where multiple competitors vie for hotel linen work. While investing in more efficient equipment may increase capital expenses, the investment ultimately lowers the cost per pound of water, energy, and labor, delivering a relatively fast payback and making the laundry more cost-competitive.

Generally, the greater the capacity of a washer, dryer, or iron, the fewer resources required per sheet, towel, or other laundered textile. Replacing aging equipment in a hotel’s on-premises laundry facilities won’t always increase capacity, although some additional efficiency will be achieved at the same capacity thanks to updated electronic and mechanical technology that makes better use of water and energy.

Foregoing washing as much as possible contributes to a hotel’s environmental friendliness and sustainability. Hotels can take steps like informing guests that their linens will be changed only once every three days unless requested otherwise and not washing used towels left on racks or hooks to conserve resources. Leveraging economies of scale can also help hotels reduce their overall energy footprint—for example, outsourcing laundry services to take advantage of larger capacity equipment that the hotel may not be able to house and operate on-property.

In 2015, a TRSA survey of consumers noted the importance of environmental issues to hotel guests. Nearly eight in 10 survey respondents indicated the real reason hotels are pressuring guests to reuse their linens and towels is to save money by cutting utility and laundry costs. Almost six in 10 said they’d rather not be pressured this way, preferring laundering in a more environmentally friendly manner. These insights highlight the importance of communicating a hotel’s sustainability efforts to guests.

About the AuthorJoseph Ricci is the president and CEO of TRSA, the association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/green-vs-sustainable-related-but-different/feed/0Survey Underlines the Importance of Spotless Restroomshttp://lodgingmagazine.com/survey-underlines-importance-spotless-bathrooms/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/survey-underlines-importance-spotless-bathrooms/#respondMon, 19 Feb 2018 11:06:09 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=36085Businesses that make a point to clean up their restrooms may also clean up in sales, according to new national research conducted by Bradley Corporation. The annual Healthy Hand Washing Survey reveals that almost half of U.S. Americans say they will “definitely” or “probably” spend more money at a business that has clean, well-maintained restrooms. In addition, nearly 60 percent reported making a conscious decision to visit a specific business because they know it has ...

]]>Businesses that make a point to clean up their restrooms may also clean up in sales, according to new national research conducted by Bradley Corporation.

The annual Healthy Hand Washing Survey reveals that almost half of U.S. Americans say they will “definitely” or “probably” spend more money at a business that has clean, well-maintained restrooms. In addition, nearly 60 percent reported making a conscious decision to visit a specific business because they know it has nice restrooms.

“The inherent correlation between restroom conditions, businesses, and customers extends even deeper than we realized,” says Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley Corporation. “Our survey has previously highlighted how well-maintained restrooms increase patronage; learning that people also reward these businesses with their spending power was further confirmation of how consumers respond positively to clean restrooms.”

For restaurants, the judgment surrounding the condition of restrooms is especially tough, as 82 percent think a restaurant with dirty restrooms is “extremely” or “fairly” likely to have a dirty kitchen. Further, out of all types of facilities, restaurants and health care establishments cause U.S. Americans the most concern about workers not washing their hands.

Untidy Restrooms Send Business Down the Drain

The survey also shows that when businesses let restroom maintenance slip through the cracks, they are at a high risk of jeopardizing customer satisfaction and sales.

“More than half of Americans say they are unlikely to return to a business after experiencing a poorly maintained restroom,” Dommisse says. “Others will complain to management, tell a friend, or leave right away without completing their business.”

That means more businesses may be on shaky ground with customers since 70 percent of U.S. Americans report having an unpleasant restroom experience–a number that has steadily increased from 59 percent over the past three years. In fact, 42 percent said they had a bad experience within just the past two months.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/survey-underlines-importance-spotless-bathrooms/feed/0Communication Is Key When Revamping Housekeeping Procedureshttp://lodgingmagazine.com/communication-key-revamping-housekeeping-procedures/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/communication-key-revamping-housekeeping-procedures/#respondTue, 23 Jan 2018 12:00:48 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=35455From bed wars to bathroom wars, the hotel industry has fought hard to maintain consumer appeal in the face of change. Over the course of nearly 25 years, the guestroom environment has been transformed quite radically. Beds—an amenity that once required only a box spring, mattress, sheets, and a few pillows—are now one of the greatest symbols of hotel luxury; they stand 34 to 37 inches off the floor and include a plush mattress, one ...

]]>From bed wars to bathroom wars, the hotel industry has fought hard to maintain consumer appeal in the face of change. Over the course of nearly 25 years, the guestroom environment has been transformed quite radically. Beds—an amenity that once required only a box spring, mattress, sheets, and a few pillows—are now one of the greatest symbols of hotel luxury; they stand 34 to 37 inches off the floor and include a plush mattress, one fitted sheet and two flat sheets, a blanket, a duvet cover, and five or six pillows. There have been other upgrades to guestrooms as well. Overall, bathrooms now have more square footage, with many hotels opting for luxury details like granite countertops and tall electric mirrors that require dozens of light bulbs. Even the average television size has increased to a whopping 55 inches.

As a result of these changes, hoteliers are starting to do away with old cleaning habits and adopt new, innovative housekeeping strategies to maintain housekeeper and guest satisfaction. But how can a hotel break through that particular paradigm of routine? Shelton, Conn.-based hotel developer and management company New Castle Hotels & Resorts found a simple and effective solution: Communication.

A little over a year ago, the Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square in Syracuse, N.Y., integrated a new and improved housekeeping initiative after noticing an uptick in their employees’ minutes per occupied room. When the issue first came to his attention, general manager Jim Wefers suggested going straight to the source—the housekeepers themselves. “We always ask guests, ‘What can we do for you?’ or ‘What do you need?’” he explains, “But that message doesn’t always get communicated correctly to the housekeeping staff. Something gets lost in translation.”

A company-wide new housekeeping initiative was spearheaded by Vince Barrett, New Castle’s vice president, food & beverage/managing director provender. He oversees rooms programs at all of New Castle’s properties, as well as all aspects of food and beverage. “I decided to meet with housekeepers at six of our local properties and hold roundtable discussions with them and their supervisors about an average day and workload,” he says. “I shadowed the housekeepers to see what their routine was like in each room. We concluded that, while the guestroom environment has changed dramatically, our way of approaching cleaning a room had not.” Barrett claims that many employees were forced to stand up on tubs to clean mirrors, go down on their hands and knees to scrub toilets and floors, and stretch to dust the tops of doorways and televisions. “We needed to figure out a way to help these employees work smarter, not harder,” Barrett notes.

Over the following weeks, Barrett developed an entirely new training program designed to help housekeepers understand and perform their work more efficiently. He worked closely with suppliers to provide new tools that would reduce the ergonomic impact on housekeepers’ bodies. These “tools” included a wide range of products, including microfiber cloths with the capability of cleaning up to four rooms, spray nozzles that use air pressure to spray cleaning solution and therefore minimize trigger-pulls, aluminum pole extensions that can extend up to 42 inches and interchangeable rubber heads for dusters. The number of chemicals used for cleaning rooms was also decreased. Previously, housekeepers used between 13 and 15 different chemicals over the course of their shifts, many of which could be harmful if frequently ingested. Now, housekeepers use only four chemicals—a hand sanitizer, an all-purpose cleaner for the bathrooms and furniture, an air freshener, and a weekly odor-eliminator.

After Barrett developed the new housekeeping process, he initiated a comprehensive training program that now applies to all New Castle cleaning staff across the globe. The program’s successes are many. It reduces the strain on housekeepers’ bodies by 95 percent and diminishes the time spent on rooms by about two minutes on average in some locations, and as many as four to five minutes in others. “The goal was to make the job easier for the housekeepers and give them the tools necessary to perform their tasks more efficiently. We were hoping it would reduce the time as well, and we have benefited from that,” Barrett says.

A bathroom at the Courtyard by Marriott Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square.

Efficiency has markedly improved since the initiative began and overall morale is up as well. Wefers reports that a dramatic cultural change has taken place since the program began. This was apparent at the property’s monthly employee celebration for staff, where workers mingle in a stress-free, comfortable environment. In the past, the housekeepers would mainly keep to themselves, but since implementing the initiative, this has changed. “The housekeepers are sitting with front desk associates, food and beverage associates, and even managers. They no longer feel that there is a line between the front and back of the house,” Wefers says. Instead, housekeepers feel like they have a voice in hotel development and productivity, which promotes change in the establishment’s employee culture.

Reward systems have also been implemented so that employees feel valued and appreciated at work. “We put everyone’s name up on a board, and when guests fill out a hotel survey, we find out who was assigned to their room and give them a star,” Wefers explains. “When guests go onto Tripadvisor and mention how clean their room was, that housekeeper gets a star.” The employee who accumulates the most stars at the end of each month is rewarded with a gift card to a local supermarket or shopping mall. “The best part is, now we have housekeepers invested in hotel performance. They’re asking, ‘How’s Tripadvisor?’ and ‘How’s GSS?’ We’ve never had that personal investment before.” Rewards are also distributed for employee referrals, which account for a third of the housekeeping staff at New Castle’s Syracuse location. If a referred employee completes the first 90 days on the job, the person that referred them gets an extra $100 toward their paycheck that week.

By catering directly to housekeepers’ needs, New Castle Hotels & Resorts has profited in more ways than one. Turnover rates have stabilized significantly, and the hotels are saving money due to their staff retention rate. Housekeepers feel more involved in the hotel’s success, and are more comfortable communicating with their employers. Many offer suggestions or adoptive methods that are persistently beneficial, and they now have more time to engage with guests, maintaining a friendly environment. Guests also benefit from this initiative by enjoying an efficiently cleaned room and interactions with less-stressed housekeepers.

When asked what advice he would give to other hoteliers on how to implement a more efficient housekeeping procedure, Wefers doesn’t hesitate. “The most efficient route to a clean room is a happy housekeeper,” he says. “Don’t look at housekeepers as cost-containment measurements. You have to reverse-engineer if you want to save money—take care of your housekeepers and the benefits will extend to the bottom line. Hoteliers like to say ‘Our staff takes care of each other. We’re like a family.’ Now, we really are.”

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/communication-key-revamping-housekeeping-procedures/feed/0The Importance of Well-Designed Housekeeping Apparelhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/the-importance-of-well-designed-housekeeping-apparel/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/the-importance-of-well-designed-housekeeping-apparel/#commentsTue, 23 Jan 2018 12:00:07 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=35459From soft linens and towels to 24-hour room service, hotels go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels comfortable. But is that same attention to detail extended to all of its employees? Housekeepers, the often invisible heroes of the hospitality industry, work quickly to transform messy rooms into spotless havens within a matter of minutes. If housekeeping staff feel uncomfortable in their work apparel in any way, it can be difficult for them to ...

]]>From soft linens and towels to 24-hour room service, hotels go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels comfortable. But is that same attention to detail extended to all of its employees? Housekeepers, the often invisible heroes of the hospitality industry, work quickly to transform messy rooms into spotless havens within a matter of minutes. If housekeeping staff feel uncomfortable in their work apparel in any way, it can be difficult for them to work efficiently and effectively.

When employees wear well-designed apparel that performs properly, they project confidence. That confidence from something as simple as looking good and feeling good often leads to enhanced performance and productivity. It’s important for hotel managers to understand the importance of comfortable work attire, and how to find the most suitable options available today.

The Importance of the Right Fit

A day in the life of a housekeeper could include anything from walking up and down long hallways, making hundreds of beds, replacing linens and toiletries, sanitizing surfaces, switching out large loads of laundry, and bending over and picking up heavy objects–and that’s just scratching the surface. With so many physical demands of the job, housekeeping apparel must be durable enough to withstand constant movement but remain lightweight and breathable.

According to a recent Journal of Hotel & Business Managementstudy, hospitality employees ranked comfort, overall fit, functionality, appropriateness for the job role, and upkeep as the top five most important features that make an effective uniform. This data not only shows how work apparel influences overall job satisfaction but gives insight into what employees need out of their garments. Thanks to innovative designs and advanced technology, employee apparel can now be durable, functional, and most importantly, comfortable.

Apparel Innovations

Shopping around for a new apparel program for housekeeping staff can be somewhat daunting due to numerous options and employee preferences. To ease the search, make sure to look for these key elements as you work with your apparel provider.

Lightweight
In the past, lightweight garments often meant the fabric was weak and could easily tear, quickly losing its value and overall image. Today, lightweight doesn’t have to compromise durability. Look for apparel that delivers ultralight performance and is light in weight as well.

Flexible
For employees who live in motion, garments must work with them, not against them. Today, some work apparel features a mechanical stretch so that its fibers will not break down after multiple uses, making it easy to work and ensuring a long lifespan.

Moisture-wicking
The core function of housekeeping includes constant movement such as bending, lifting, and walking. Moisture management options aid in the overall comfort of this job function. Look for apparel that mixes cooling mesh and high-tech fabrics with moisture management to offer employees ultimate comfort in any climate.

Garments with moisture-wicking capabilities not only help employees feel comfortable throughout a long workday but also maintain their appearance. Modern features like zip closures, angled pockets, and action-back ventilation are also beneficial and increase functionality.

Protective
For properties with employees who occasionally work outdoors, it’s important that their apparel is versatile and provides superior protection from the elements. Look for apparel programs that include options for summer and winter, and feature fabric that has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating finish of 30 or more.

Fashion forward
By providing employees with fashionable clothing options—like a lightweight tunic with purposeful design details—a hotel embraces personal style while enhancing employee comfort and confidence. Additionally, the Athleisure trend can easily be incorporated in fashionable and functional housekeeping attire. To increase overall brand image and create an organized look that extends from housekeeping to front desk staff, it’s important to find an image provider that can incorporate the brand’s colors, logos, and designs throughout an apparel collection.

The balance of function and fashion should be top of mind when creating an apparel program. It’s not enough for a garment to look good; it must also perform well in the workplace. Advances in apparel technology have enabled manufacturers to create garments with fast-drying, soil-release, and moisture-wicking capabilities—perfect for occupational athletes, such as housekeepers. In addition, large pockets with zippers and multiple compartments bring increased functionality to garments.

Unified by Comfort

Hospitality employees play a crucial role in representing and upholding the reputation of a lodging establishment. In particular, housekeepers represent the cleanliness of a hotel, and if they are seen in dated, stained, wrinkled, or unfit apparel, it can reflect poorly on brand image and lower employee morale. Choosing to provide employees with the same level of comfort that guests receive is a great way to show appreciation for hardworking staff, as well as establish a unified and professional image throughout the property.

About the AuthorKristin Sharp is the Director of Design & Merchandising for Cintas Corporation.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/the-importance-of-well-designed-housekeeping-apparel/feed/2Public Area Housekeeping Basics: Timing, Signage, and Vigilance Are Keyhttp://lodgingmagazine.com/public-area-housekeeping-basics-timing-signage-vigilance-key/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/public-area-housekeeping-basics-timing-signage-vigilance-key/#respondMon, 22 Jan 2018 12:00:40 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=35438The public areas of a hotel receive considerable traffic and require housekeeping attention to keep them looking clean and orderly. Here are a few things to remember when planning your hotel’s public cleaning: Timing is everything. Freshly mopped tile floors, the noise from vacuums, and closed restrooms can pose a challenge to and inconvenience guests. Unless these areas are near guestrooms, plan to clean them when the fewest hotel guests will be adversely affected ...

]]>The public areas of a hotel receive considerable traffic and require housekeeping attention to keep them looking clean and orderly. Here are a few things to remember when planning your hotel’s public cleaning:

Timing is everything.

Freshly mopped tile floors, the noise from vacuums, and closed restrooms can pose a challenge to and inconvenience guests. Unless these areas are near guestrooms, plan to clean them when the fewest hotel guests will be adversely affected by such actions, typically during the late night shift. Adversely, guestroom corridors should be serviced mid-day when the fewest guests are in their hotel rooms.

Always use signage.

Don’t forget to place several highly visible signs in the vicinity of any floors that are wet. Restrooms or locker rooms should be cordoned off until housekeeping service is complete and the floors are dry.

Cords are a tripping hazard.

When vacuuming or buffing floors, use the shortest extension cord possible. Cords should be brightly colored so they are visible to passing guests. Always plug the cord into the nearest electrical outlet it as close to the wall as possible.

Vigilance.

Any unclean public area reflects poorly on the entire hotel’s image. Institute a monitoring program where designated employees will inspect various public areas at established intervals to report or rectify any deficiencies. Instill a culture that the hotel’s cleanliness and tidy appearance is every employee’s responsibility, regardless of position or department.

About the AuthorDr. William D. Frye is an Associate Professor in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Niagara University and co-author of AHLEI’s housekeeping textbook Managing Housekeeping Operations.